RUN FOR THE WALL Jean and Larry: May 22, 2017 - Day 6 to DC --- Junction City, KS to Wentzville, MO

Jamie Naber met us in Junction City. This is Ron's daughter. She rode with Larry from Lewisburg to DC in 2015. She currently works in DC and has a roommate that server. Her name is Shayna Taylor. Jamie will be riding for her. Remember : "We ride for those who can't."

Here is a little information we got from Shayna:

"I wanted to join the Army as a commissioned officer because I have a strong tradition of military service members in my family. My dad retired after a 30 year career as an infantryman at the rank of LTC. So I joined the Army on Feb 28, 2013 as a specialist and went to Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC followed by OCS at Fort Benning, GA where I commissioned as an Officer on Oct 10. I am in the Maryland National Guard 29th Infantry Division as an intelligence officer. I am currently a 1st Lieutenant and I am serving in my first deployment in Kuwait in support of the Global War on Terror. Right now I am scheduled to be back in the states around July 3,4, or 5. Serving in the military makes me proud to defend my country and be a part of the proud military heritage of my family. Thank you for your ride to the wall and for support of the military and veterans."

This is Jamie and Shayna. Thanks Shayna for what you do!!!!

So we thought we were going to be in Rain. If you take a look a the next pic, it is pretty BUT you know the saying: Red at night sailor delight; red in morning, sailor take warning.
Still pretty.

Here is our ARC , Harlan aka Whiteburch and his wife Mama O.

So we are all geared up. I said we look like a rainbow for rain.

Skies not looking to well when we leave. BUT look at all the people on the bridge. We left 7:30 this morning and you know it took time to organize this!!

In Missouri we get a full escort. NO cars, trucks..... we love it.

The bridge pics were not real good today since it was so over cast. But I thought you would like them. Remember when you look at them: all the people on the bridges, the amount of time to organize, the effort to get the flags and signs, getting there, being careful since it is on a road, setting up of fire trucks, getting fire trucks there......and we roll past in 5-7 minutes. WOW!!! This is true support for our Veterans and those currently serving. I see so many of these all day long and still blows me away. Enjoy the pics.

Jenny, Larry and I had to go to the bank. On our way back we went over a bridge. This is behind the scenes of one of the bridges.

So think about getting 400+ bikes thru a toll booth. Single file all.

We even had out own lane.

Check out the top of the cones.

This is coming off an exit for gas.... look how many flags.

Since we were ahead of the pack, we headed to lunch in Concordia, MO. Here is the staging area before the pack arrives. Again think about it. Flags, Music, honor guard, awards, food, volunteers for set up and clean up,... this takes so many people.

For lunch today, we had pulled pork and pulled turkey. As an example, they cooked 15 turkeys for us, pulled and shredded. Not to mention the pork. There was also baggies of cut carrots and celery, apples, bananas. This takes so much time to set up for only a 90 minute stay. Donations for buns, fruit, drinks... kids made cookies and handed them out in baggies so we could take them with us.

Kids were walking around with painted rock. All were red, white and blue. They also handed out index cards thanking us for our service and our freedom.

The pack arrives. Here is the escort. Better pic an the other day.

Pack rolling in. This is now my third year and I still love to watch this. So many people coming together.

Ron and Jamie.

Papa Smurf rides for 3 people and puts them on his windshield. "We ride for those who can't." He know the gentleman in the middle. He was a gunner on a helicopter in Laos. The guy on the left was the pilot. Papa Smurf and the lady below got in touch with each other and decided to meet on the Run. She is the sister of the pilot. She drove 4 hours to see him. Family!!

Wow this space filled up fast.

Jamie, Larry and Ron

Jamie with a WWII veteran. He walked down the line and met everyone. We all thanked him for his service. He then thanked us for doing what we do to keep the awareness of the veterans alive.

This gentleman was also a WWI vet. They talked for several minutes. Larry said he wish he had more time.

Another WWII vet. He is 98 and only last 6 months was moved to a nursing home. He is a tough one was a comment from the gentleman with him on his left.

Signs like this are all over the walls of the shelter.

Every gathering is started with Prayer. Thanks the Lord for good weather, and for all the riders.

These are the LEOs (Law Enforcement Officers) that are escorting us across the state. Thanks so much guys. No traffic especially in the cities are very nice.

As we leave..... cannot get enough of this. We are the Run do so little compared to what our men and women in the armed services do. Before we leave they play Taps. Cannot make it thru it with out a few tears for those still serving.

“Day is done, Gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hill,
From the sky.
All is well, Safely rest,
God is nigh.”

Heading out.

Hope you can see this. we had 2 rows or LEOs. AND we have all entrance ramps stopped.

One of the entrance ramps. Such respect to this mission.

As we head into a fuel stop.

Ron and Jamie in the middle of the organized chaos for the next leg.

Boilermaker and Kay.

We cloudy all day but still cannot get by without a few pics or this great country.

OK so I have a new estimate. I would say 75% of he bridges are covered with someone when we pass

Sign says: Welcome Home , Run for the Wall

As we pull into Wentzville, MO, we again stop all traffic. As we came to this exit ramp, I saw a gentleman step out of his car. Look what I saw next. Lord let me stop the tears before the bikes stop.

Here is the pack coming off the exit. Little blurry but impressive. It is usually about 2 miles long. Check out all the lights.

Kids are our future. Show them what respect and family is.

Of all the flags I have seen.. I have NEVER seen one this big. Looks at the people under it. Again think about getting this flag into the air. 2 cranes, people holding the flag so it does not hit the ground....again WOW!!!

Larry and Jean

Signing of the Star Spangle Banner. Beautifully done.

Teach them young.

Amide all the chaos and people every where, this pic says it all. As we go about our daily lives, busy with kids and work..... our service men and women are always there keeping us safe... Thank you 2 gentleman for taking watch, keeping us safe and always being there.